Friday, October 31, 2014
Philippians 1:1-11, Psalm 111:1-6, Luke 14:1-6
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/103114.cfm
FINISHING SCHOOL
"He Who has begun the good work in you will carry it through to completion." -Philippians 1:6
Hours before His death, Jesus Himself prayed to His Father: "I have given You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave Me to do" (Jn 17:4). At His death, Jesus "said, 'Now it is finished.' Then He bowed His head, and delivered over His spirit" (Jn 19:30).
Paul, having the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16), stated in the last years of his life: "I put no value on my life if only I can finish my race and complete the service to which I have been assigned by the Lord Jesus" (Acts 20:24). Paul proclaimed: "The Lord stood by my side and gave me strength, so that through me the preaching task might be completed" (2 Tm 4:17). Before his death, Paul also proclaimed: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Tm 4:7). Paul assured the church of Philippi: "I am sure of this much: that He Who has begun the good work in you will carry it through to completion, right up to the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil 1:6).
The Lord has called us to make our lives beautiful temples of the Spirit to His glory (see 1 Pt 2:5). Our concern is that we may not "complete the work" (Lk 14:29). Then all who see our lives will not give glory to God; rather, they will jeer at us and say: "They began to build what they could not finish" (see Lk 14:30).
However, because we have been baptized into Christ and have the mind of Christ, we can confidently say: "The Lord will complete what He has done for me" (Ps 138:8).
Prayer: Father, may I cross Your finish line.
Promise: "He took the man, healed him, and sent him on his way." -Lk 14:4
Praise: Charles prays, studies the church's teachings (especially the Bible), and reads the lives of the saints to help increase his faith.
(For a related teaching, order our tape "Am I Going to Heaven?" on audio AV 54-3 or video V-54.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from October 1, 2014 through November 30, 2014
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 24, 2014
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
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